Useful information
Immigration and Visas
This page is designed to give you some clear advice as to whether you need a visa to enter the UK. It is in two sections covering the more general category of ‘visitor’ and the more specific category of ‘student’.
Visas
Do I need a visa?
- If you are from the European Union or a European Economic Area country and Switzerland then you do not need a visa to enter the UK.
- If you are a national from a country on the UK Government list ( called the Visa and Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) nationals ) you are called a 'visa national' and you will need to get a visa before you travel. If you do not have a visa, you will not be able to enter the UK. Getting a visa can sometimes be difficult. Please go to the website www.ukvisas.gov.uk to check if you are a national of one of the countries on this UK government list. If you are on this list then you will need to take steps to secure a visa in your country.
- If you are not sure if you need a visa you can get full information from the website mentioned above on the Do I Need a UK Visa? Page.
- If you are a national from another country outside the European Union, or a European Economic Area country ( including Switzerland) and not a national from one of the countries listed on the UK Government list, you also need a visa, but it is usually easier to get one. There are two types of visa available to you:
- If you are planning to stay for less than 6 months, you can get a visitor's visa on arrival. This visa has a maximum length of six months, cannot be extended, and does not give you the right to work.
- If you are planning to stay for longer than 6 months, you must get entry clearance in your own country before you travel.
Student
You can come to the United Kingdom to study either as a student, or as a student visitor and undertake a short course of study within the period of your leave of up to 6 months.
- Firstly, If you are coming to the United Kingdom as a student you will need to have been accepted onto a course of study before you come by an organisation which is on the official UK government register of education and training providers.
Saint George International is on the official UK government education and training register under St George International English Language Centre - The course should be at one of the following:
- a publicly funded institution of further or higher education (a university) with maintained records of enrolment and attendance which are readily available to the Border and Immigration Agency.
- a genuine private education institution ( such as Saint George International).
- an independent fee paying school.
- and you need to be following one of these:
- a recognised full-time degree course.
- a course run during the week that involves at least 15 hours of organised daytime study a week ( such as the courses at Saint George International).
- a full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school.
- you must also:
- be able to pay for your course and support and accommodate yourself and any dependants without working or help from public funds.
- plan to leave the United Kingdom when you complete your studies.
Student visitor
If you are coming to the United Kingdom as a visitor to study you must:
- genuinely be seeking entry as a student visitor for a limited period as stated by yourself and not exceeding six months.
- have been accepted on a course of study which is to be provided by a registered organisation such as Saint George International which is on the official UK government register of education and training providers.
- leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit as stated by yourself.
- maintain and pay for accommodation for yourself and any dependents without help from public funds.
- ensure that you and your dependants will be maintained and accommodated by relatives or friends and not take employment.
- be able to meet the cost of the return or onward journey.
You must not:
- take employment in the United Kingdom.
- engage in business, to produce goods or provide services within the United Kingdom, including the selling of goods and services direct to members of the public.
- study at a government funded school.
- be a child under the age of 18.
- undertake part-time (up to 20 hours), or full-time vacation employment.
- undertake a work placement of internship (paid or unpaid) as part of your course of study.
Further useful information is available on this subject at the website http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/.
If you still have any concerns or questions on this subject please don’t hesitate to contact Saint George International 00 44 207 2991700.
Insurance policy details
If you like to see our insurance policy pleace click the following link.
Insurance policy